Kimani, 40, was arrested on September 25, 2025, for allegedly cutting down trees. His mother, Mary Wambui, said she was called by an officer and informed that her son had been detained.
When she visited the station, she was reportedly told that Kimani could only be released if she paid Ksh15,000.
Wambui explained that she did not have the money. The following day, she received another call from a police officer who allegedly threatened her with dire consequences if she failed to raise the amount.
Hours later, she received a second call from the same officer informing her that her son had died in custody.
According to the family, police claimed Kimani died by suicide. However, they have questioned the circumstances surrounding his death, insisting that he had no history of mental illness.
Civil society groups have condemned the incident. Hussein Khalid, CEO of VOCAL Africa, confirmed that he was contacted by Kimani’s mother seeking assistance.
Khalid said the matter raises serious concerns about how suspects are treated in police custody and called for independent investigations.
This tragedy comes just days after another case was reported in Mombasa, where a man named Simon Warui was found dead inside a police station on September 23, 2025.
Warui had earlier been reported missing by his family. An autopsy conducted by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) revealed that he died from cardiorespiratory collapse caused by a neck fracture or dislocation.
The two deaths have drawn public attention to allegations of police brutality and extortion, with Kenyans demanding accountability. Human rights groups argue that demanding money for bail is illegal and amounts to corruption.
They have urged IPOA to speed up investigations and ensure that the officers involved are held responsible.
Meanwhile, Kimani’s family is struggling to come to terms with the loss. Wambui described her son as hardworking and peaceful, saying he did not deserve to die in such circumstances.
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